Tahoe Archives ~ TRAILMOMMA

July 15, 2019July 15, 2019

BIG CHIEF 50K Race Report

I cannot think of a better place to run my 10th ever 50k than in Tahoe. This race had it all and then some. Warning, I took a lot of photos. 🙂

I signed up to run the Big Chief 50k early on in the year with the intention of using it as a training run. I made plans with some friends in Tahoe to crash at their house the night before as I wanted to run this solo. I did not want the family hanging out at the finish line because I wanted to feel as if I had zero support and zero pressure. I wanted to just run it and let the day unfold and battle whatever demons came up … and some did indeed show up but I was ready.

Photo : Big Blue Adventure

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The weekend started with a serious heat wave. Saturday before the race was spent at the kids swim meet. I did my best to hydrate all day and get out of the sun when I could.

After the swim meet I had to unpack from the meet, shuttle one of my kids to a party, continue to pack for the race and I also made some mashed potatoes to bring with me as fuel. It was a busy day.

This was the race for experimentation. As it turns out, mashed potatoes, while great in theory, did not taste so great at mile 22 on a million degree day. Live and learn.

I arrived at my friend’s house Saturday evening. We had dinner, caught up and relaxed. I also got some doggie loving in from their two sweet dogs. It was just what I needed the night before a race.

I slept incredibly well and was able to do my usual morning routine. I arrived at the race start as soon as packet pick up opened. It was a beautiful and cool morning.

In the parking lot on the way to packet pickup, I ran into an old friend, Captain Kirk! Captain Kirk manages the Fleet Feet Folsom store (my local store) and he also was one of my coaches who back in 2010 helped me run my first ever Way Too Cool 50K and American River 50 Miler! So he’s to blame for for all my crazy running. 🙂 Kidding.

This was the inaugural race so everything seemed very low key. There were not a ton of entrants. Really, it was the perfect amount. The race starting area was quiet but full of smiles as it was a beautiful morning.

After a quick race briefing, we were off! The race starts up hill to get you out of the ski lodge area. At first it seemed like everyone took off like they stole something but maybe that was my perception because my lungs felt like I had left them back home in EDH.

I had some flashbacks of my Broken Arrow start where I thought I might die but eventually the trail spreads out and some people started to power hike. I knew it was going to be a long day, so I joined them and tried to get my breathing to settle down.

The trail soon turns onto the most beautiful single track and it was like we stepped into the mecca of Tahoe trails.

Soon enough I caught up to Captain Kirk and we ran a few miles together just chatting away. At one point he turned to me and said, “Um, that was a 7:55 mile. We should probably slow down.” It honestly did not feel like we were going that fast at all, it was a slight down hill too but when I looked back at my splits, I had about 3 fast(ish) miles right about then. Oops!

It was around mile 8.5 or so that my stomach really started to bug me. Without too many details, I had to stop, lady-problems abound and that would set the tone for the start of my race.

Jumping off the trail to take care of business always bugs me. All the runners I had passed earlier, I saw running right by me while I was off in the distance dealing with myself. Still, it needed to be done and is a fact of ultra-running.

The trails seriously could not get any better. Every turn introduced you to an awesome trail or a great view. Despite the lady-cramping that had started to pummel my body and the still present stomach troubles, I was truly enjoying myself.

Finally at mile 12, I had to stop yet again. Completely frustrated at this point but I was hopeful this would be the last stop, and it was but once again, it plays a cruel mental game in your head when you have to stop and deal with things like this that come up.

But how could I be mad when I had views like this all around me? The view of Lake Tahoe from this trail was spectacular.

I figured if my day was going to go to hell in a hand basket, I might as well have some beautiful photos for the blog! 🙂

Still smiling despite the inner battles I had been dealing with

Basically, from miles 12 to 16, I hiked a lot. My body just did not want to run even though the trails were very run-able. Between the stomach, cramping and just feeling depleted, I was just putting one foot in front of the other the best that I could. The day was quickly warming up too.

Finally, I came to the third aid-station shortly after mile 16. I decided that I need to figure my $hit out and quick. Luckily this aid-station had some ice so I grabbed some and shoved it down my sports bra, and put the rest in a bandanna around my neck. I took my extra soft flask and filled it with water to hose myself down.

As part of our race packet, we received two Gu gels. I am not a gels kind of person but at this point, 16 miles into a 31 mile race, I was having a hard time getting in calories. I downed the gel and you know what, it wasn’t that bad and brought some pep into my step! I started kicking myself that I left the second gel back in the car.

My stomach woes finally subsided and my body overall was starting to feel better. I was happy that I had mitigated whatever problems I had previously. From that point on, I was able to run and hike. It was about 86 degrees out, which for the Tahoe area, is pretty freaking hot.

Some of the trails were like the above photo, fully exposed fire roads. Still beautiful but definitely brutal in the heat of the day. Here I was able to catch up to and pass a few runners but running on flats like this, is not my strong suit.

Standing in the hot sun looking across at the still snowy mountains!

The next aid-station was around mile 22 or so and I could not wait to get there. Luckily they had ice as well so I continued my ice in the sports bra and bandanna around my neck and nibbled on whatever I could find in my pack method. Nibbling was key.

It was at this aid-station that I had finally caught up to a girl I’d been at first yo yo’ing with on the trails but who then passed me during one of my many bathroom pit stops. She looked up at me and said, “You look familiar.” She was wearing the 2019 Canyons hat and I said, “I think I was running near you at Canyons this year.” and she goes, “Yea! Your legs looked familiar!” 🙂

As we started down the trail she said, “Welcome to Saw Tooth!” I asked her if that was what the trail was called and she said, yes. She’d been out there the weekend prior running it in preparation for today’s race. It’s a gnarly section definitely designed for a mountain biker. The rocks are jagged and plentiful. It was gorgeous, but pretty technical to run on but also so incredibly fun!

Her pre race practice paid off as she took off down those trails! I lost sight of her as I was focusing on not falling on my face as well as letting mountain bikers pass. The trails were still open to them but they were super friendly and encouraging.

After Saw Tooth we were on a trail called, Two Beavers and a Bear. 🙂 Just the name made me smile but the trails themselves were pretty amazing.

I caught up to the Canyons girl here too along with a guy who was adamant that we were lost. He had turned himself around and was insistent that we had already run this section. Canyons girl assured him that we had not and I told him that I trusted her because she lives near here and was running out here just last weekend. I also really wanted to tell the guy to just take a gel or something. I think he might have been bonking a little from the heat. 🙂

I honestly do not know how that guy could truly think he was lost because this course was SO well marked. I never doubted where I was for a moment and we made tons of turns. I give major kudos to the Race Director and volunteers for Big Blue Adventure, they did a stellar job marking this crazy course.

Even though I was feeling better and running more, I couldn’t stop taking photos. We came across so many neat trails. From soft dirt, to technical rocks to cool little bridges like the above photo!

There was also some fun trail art! You could not help but smile if you were really looking around and taking this all in. These trails are incredible.

Even though I was feeling better and running more, my calorie intake was probably not where it should have been. I dug out an old gel that I had in my pack, not the same as the one prior (I always carry a safety) and I tried to get it down but the texture was pretty nasty. Just then I tripped over a rock and the gel packet went flying into a mud puddle. “Guess there goes that,” I said out loud … just as a mountain biker had approached, “Are you okay?” I had only partially fallen, not a true fall and I was fine but I am sure she must have thought I was a nutso talking to myself in the woods. 🙂

I was starting to smell the barn and I was also counting down the miles to the final aid-station as my bandanna was dry but luckily I still had my hosing water bottle.

Finally I reached mile 27 and the aid-station. He was out of ice but he had water so I refilled my hosing water bottle and continued on my way. He warned us that the next few miles were a slow up hill and then it would be down hill.

What he didn’t share was that the next 2.5 miles were on this fully exposed hot fire road. Ouch. Uphill in the sun is one gnarly way to head to the finish line but I just kept power hiking and moving. No stopping now! I was on a mission.

With that hot exposed fire road though, you’re still greeted with some really pretty views. This race just never stopped with its beauty.

Finally I reached the section where the downhill began. I could not hear the finish but I could smell it and I could see some of the mountain bikers riding the downhill course which was located near the finish line.

I just turned on the jets and motored down the hill as fast as my legs would go. I was still in the dead sun but eventually I started running on the uphill that we had started the race on … which meant the finish line was near. My Garmin said I was doing this last mile to 2 mile section at around an 8:36 pace or so. I believe it. I could not wait to finish.

I crossed the finish line and Captain Kirk was there to greet me and give me a high-five. I told him that I finished way later than I had wanted or even expected to, and he said, “Because that was f*&^king hard!” That made me feel better. 🙂 I still think this race is very run-able but the heat, the stomach troubles and everything else that I battled with for 31 miles, I did what I could do and got it done.

Ignore the hand-wound. I had fallen a few days prior to the race. 🙂

I managed to grab 3rd place age group (it was a small race). Captain Kirk also got 3rd in his age group as well and his friend placed first! The finish area was full of smiles, beer and just good times.

I just sat on the grass for a bit, cheered those still finishing and enjoyed a grape popsicle. 🙂 It totally his the spot. I could have probably eaten the whole box.

Even though I did not finish in the time frame I was expecting to finish in, I am still quite happy with my race. I went into this race with zero expectations other than get the miles in and use this as a training run to experiment with some new fueling, run in the heat and I also ran with the new Topo Athletic Mountain Racers.

I think I handled my lows pretty well and did a good job at problem solving when I needed to. It might have taken longer than it should have to come to certain solutions, but now I have ideas on what I can use to address certain things that pop up.

Overall, I am in absolutely in love with this race and the race course. Vans already has decided that next year the whole family will go up and he can do the mountain bike race on Saturday while I run this again the next day. I am all for it because this race was beautiful through and through. 🙂

Happy Trails!

~Trailmomma

June 25, 2019January 22, 2020

2019 BROKEN ARROW SKY RACE 26k (Race Report)

Did you ever have a bucket list race? A race you’ve always wanted to try but the stars just never aligned for it to happen? The Broken Arrow Sky Race has been that race for me since they starting racing in Squaw Valley. It usually falls on or around Father’s Day or near Squeaker’s birthday, but not this year. This year, the timing was perfect.

When I told Vans about this race and my intentions months ago, he was all for it. Then I discovered there was also a Broken Arrow kid’s race AND a Big Blue Adventure Mountain Bike Race all within the same weekend. The stars not only aligned, they were calling us … to Tahoe! So off we went!

The Broken Arrow Sky Race series starts on a Friday with a VK (Vertical Kilometer) race, followed by Saturday with the 11k race and a 52k race. The series ends on Sunday with a 26k and the kid’s race. All throughout the weekend are vendors, music, beer, food and just a ton of super fit active happy people.

We arrived late Friday evening. Vans went and did his crazy mountain bike race (his first major one since his collar bone accident in February) on Saturday while the kids and I soaked up the excitement and energy in the village. It was fun and gave me a chance to chat with a lot of 52k finishers about the course as this was 100% a snow year and running was not going to be easy peasy way up high on the mountain.

Come Sunday morning, my nerves were getting to me. After having talked to so many about the snowy conditions, I was a bit nervous. Just a week before the race I had suffered from either a terrible bout of allergies OR a nasty sinus cold that tried to make its way into my chest. I had a few asthma attacks that week as a result. Regardless, trying to breathe had been rough and I took a good week off to let everything settle.

I did not take any photos at the start of the race. I was too much in my head and watching those around me. When they counted us down and sent us on our way, I had a smile on my face eager to see what the day would bring.

The first few miles of the course I am familiar with. That single track in the photo above I have run before during our family time in Tahoe. It’s gorgeous but because of the snow, it’s been a while since I’ve run on it. It was as soft and as beautiful as I remember.

Then we started climbing. They wasted no time with that elevation gain in this race. I tried to settle into a decent pace but those around me were pushing pretty hard. I wanted to as well but my legs and lungs had not quite adjusted yet to what I was asking them to do.

I did make a promise to myself that every peak I crested, I would stop, turn and take a photo. It made climbing those giant mountains, a little more fun.

There were 424 people running this race so it was a bit of an adjustment trying to maintain space on the trail. The initial climbs were all a conga line of people. Many had trekking poles which created space and passing issues trying not to get jabbed in the knee cap. Though I wasn’t really passing many at the beginning.

Every turn we made, brought a new climb. The red arrows in the photo above, if you click on it, you’ll see tiny specks … those are people, lines of them climbing. I was headed their way.

All you could really do is put one foot in front of the other and move. We had not even hit the snow sections yet. You can see at the top of the photo, that’s were the snow really started to play a factor.

At the top. Turned around and saw Lake Tahoe!

Cresting that first major climb provided your first glimpse of Lake Tahoe. The runners behind me saw that I turned and took a photo and they turned and exclaimed, “Oh wow! Look!” That made me smile.

My breathing had some what regulated by now but my legs and body still felt unsure. I thought I had been in pretty good shape prior to this race but sky running or mountain running in snow results in you using a lot of extra energy to stay upright.

I had been enjoying my time so far and finally made it to the “rope” part of the course. I had seen photos of this section all throughout the weekend but they didn’t do this section justice. I killed a lot of energy here.

The rope was hard. There were tons of us on it and if one person fell and moved the rope, it sent a domino effect downward. I could barely hold on. I kept falling. Finally, I let go of the rope and just crawled on my hands and feet up the snow as best I could. It was a mix of snow and rocks so every so often an avalanche of rocks would come down and someone would yell, “Rock! I can’t stop it!” and we’d look up and try and catch whatever rock was rolling towards us. It was brutal.

And it was relentless. Your arms and legs were tired from the rope climb only to turn the corner and have to climb again, but without a rope.

We were getting closer and closer to the top! There are only 3 aid stations in the race. The first one is called Easy Street and is at mile 6. I didn’t really stop but said thank you and hello to all the volunteers. After Easy Street, we started climbing KT-22.

Then we started moving towards the top of Squaw Peak heading towards the most infamous part of the race, Stairway to Heaven.

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The Stairway to Heaven ladder is awesome! Total drop offs on either side and you scramble across a rocky ridge line just to get to it. I had a smile on my face from ear to ear when I finally reached it.

View from top of the Highway to Heaven ladder.

After you reach the top of the ladder, you are finally blessed with some downhill running into Shirley Basin. It took a while for my downhill legs to return after so much uphill but I made it to the aid-station called Siberia. Aptly named because this aid-station is at the top mountain where most of the snow is located as well as tons of skiers and snowboarders out enjoying the day!

It was a hoot trying to run on the snow while a skier (in shorts and a tank top) was whizzing right by me wishing me well in my race. I would smile and say thanks and focus my attention on trying to find the race flags that were spiked into the snow. It was so crowded at the top that I couldn’t rely on looking for a runner in front of me, nor did I want to in case someone went off course.

The way down into Shirley Canyon was both a blast and a pain the butt, literally! The snow was so deep and slippery that really the only true way to go down, was on you bum!

The grove on the right hand side of that photo was the bum slide. I went down that! It was fun but definitely cold! My backside got a little frozen but I laughed the whole way down. You can see video of me sliding down on my Instagram Page.

However, after you slide/run/fall the whole way down into Shirley Canyon, you have to turn around and climb right back out. At first this seemed like a downer but watching everyone else slide down on their bums next to you laughing and having a blast, made climbing up (and falling up) the snow, that much better.

When you’re back at the top, you run through the snow to High Camp. I didn’t even stop at the aid-station at High Camp (mile 11.5) because I knew that some downhill followed and I was hoping, it was without snow!

I was partially right. There was still quite a bit snow on the beginning portion of the Thunder Mountain single track that leads down to the village as well as water and tons of deep mud puddles. We’d run a bit on the fire road and then be whisked onto the single track and forced to climb just a little bit more before finally being dumped onto the wide fire road that leads directly to the finish line.

Once I hit that, I just ran. I passed a bunch of people but my legs were so grateful for the downhill knowing that there was finally no more uphill to battle other than having to jump for the famous bell at the finish line.

I did it! My jump wasn’t so graceful but I rang das’bell as they say! I couldn’t stop smiling. My kids had been higher up on the fire road and cheered me on as I had come down the hill.

The girls could not wait to tell me all about their own sky races! I was so proud of them. They ran up hill, around and then down the big fire road to the finish and hit the bell too!

We shared our trail run stories, enjoyed some otter pops that were being handed out at the finish line and soaked up the energy that continued to flow through the village.

At the bottom of your race bib are some tickets that included two free beers (including Sufferfest, one of my favorite companies) and a ticket to the buffet at Fireside Pizza!

Knowing that it was almost 100 degrees back home, none of us wanted to leave. We relaxed, ate, listened to music and talked to people the rest of the afternoon. It was perfect. I forget sometimes how rejuvenating it is to escape as a family for the weekend, even if we’re all racing! 🙂

Have to give a big shout out to this guy. He got the girls to their race start, cheered them on and checked us out of our room all while I was running up a mountain. Afterwards he lugged all my bags so I could change out of my wet stinky clothes.

Vans WON his race category (single speed) at the mountain bike race on Saturday too! Super proud of him. His road to recovery has been slow but steady and I am happy to see him back on the bike.

Overall, I am very happy with the Broken Arrow Sky race. It was a well run fun event. It isn’t easy no matter what distance you try and do. I am happy we decided to come up as a family and experience it together. I conquered a Bucket List item and made some great family memories.

Happy Trails!

~Trailmomma

July 20, 2017July 20, 2017

TAHOE RIM TRAIL 100 (CREW/PACE)

“You have two choices: Run now or be ready to sprint later, your call.”

The last time I wrote about the Tahoe Rim Trail 100 mile endurance race was back in 2015 when Pigeon was attempting her third TRT100.

You can read about that event here (excuse the weirdness of that post, my blog has since been updated and there are all kinds of migration errors in it).

Needless to say she didn’t make it in 2015 and she didn’t make it again in 2016 when she attempted the race for a fourth time.

Fast forward to the present day; I wasn’t overly surprised to see her name on the entrants list for 2017. I know she has quite the vendetta with this race and a desire to conquer it because she knows (and I know) that she can finish it.

But some things had to change in order for that to happen.

This post isn’t about her run per se, I will let Pigeon tell that story as it is hers and hers alone to tell. You can follow her here: Pigeon’s Blog. This post is more about crewing and what we saw from our side, which if you’ve ever run an ultra, you know there are two sides/adventures for both runner and crew.

In years past, I’ve missed my kid’s last swim meet of the season, taken off of work and headed up to Tahoe to help Pigeon get ready. This year, I couldn’t do that. I wouldn’t do that. Vans suffered an injury and is out of swim meet rotation. I also had told Pigeon early on that I wasn’t going to give up vacation time and my kid’s last swim meet again. She understood. I sound like a terrible friend but crewing is a huge commitment and it wasn’t that I didn’t believe that she could finish, I just had to put my family first this time.

That was the start of some of the “changes” that occurred. Pigeon’s wife also left town and would not be crewing. That meant, Pigeon had to find a whole new crew.

Enter Miss P! Photo by: Not Chris — Enter Miss P!
Photo by: Not Chris

If you’ve followed my posts this year, you know that I’ve been running with some new trail friends. Not Chris is one of those friends. He’s been running with Pigeon and I for quite some time now and even though he is fairly new to ultra running, he’s proven himself to be a superb runner, friend and planner.

Miss P is not a “new friend” but she is a consummate bada$$ on the trail! I’ve never heard an ill word about her in the 7 years I have known her and she is one helluva runner.

That rounded out our crew. Myself, Miss P and Not Chris all ready to finish this. Miss P and Not Chris had to take on the Friday and Saturday duties while I attended my kids (very hot) swim meet.

"See ya in a few!" Photo by: Not Chris — “See ya in a few!”
Photo by: Not Chris

Not Chris was unfamiliar with TRT100 before meeting Pigeon. As soon as he was asked to be part of the crew, he studied the rule book, website, cut-offs and maps. He was on top of everything.

He was also excited to be a back up pacer and to also finally go up Tunnel Creek!

Pigeon coming into Tunnel Creek Photo by: Not Chris — Pigeon coming into Tunnel Creek
Photo by: Not Chris

Even though there is little you can do at the Tunnel Creek aid-station (miles 12 , 18.5, 35, 62, 68.5, 85), it’s enough to have the moral and verbal support. I know Pigeon truly appreciated him being there for her.

When Pigeon came into Diamond Peak (mile 30) early Saturday, she was ahead of schedule. I was getting the play-by-play texts from Not Chris all day. She looked good he said, feet looked good, she was not much below the 30 hour runner cut-off! What!? That’s awesome!

Leaving the aid-station in the heat of the day. Photo by: Not Chris — Leaving the aid-station in the heat of the day.
Photo by: Not Chris

I finished my swim meet which was a good 40 minutes away from my house. I raced home, cleaned up my kids, myself, made sure Vans was okay (remember he’s out of commission and essentially has the use of only one leg right now), did some house items he requested I do before I leave, shoved food in my face and then jumped in my car and drove to South Lake Tahoe.

I made it to Spooner Lake by 5:30 pm. Pigeon was expected (if she was still on schedule based on her day so far) to be in anywhere between 6:45 pm and 7:45 pm.

Spooner Lake Photo by: Me — Spooner Lake
Photo by: Me

Not Chris and Miss P were at Spooner by 5:45 pm. We set up our crew aid-station in a completely different spot than years prior (again, to change things up).

Miss P was ready to pace Pigeon through the night to Diamond Peak (30 miles). Originally I had hoped to pace her all 50, but with my swim meet obligations, I had to back down to only the last 20 miles. In the end though, that turned out to be a great and perfect plan.

There was quite a bit of carnage at Spooner and the mosquitoes were in full force. Not Chris and I waited on the trail for her just down from the aid-station.

Around 7:15 pm or so we saw her! She was still ahead of schedule! I had not seen her yet today, so I ran to her gave her a half-assed walking hug and then pummeled her with questions: What have you eaten? How do you feel? What do you need? What’s working? What’s not working? How are your feet? You get the drift.

She seemed quiet but verbal. She mentioned she had tummy troubles so I said to stop what she had been eating, we’ll try something new.

When she came in through the aid-station we got her settled. She changed her socks and looked at her feet. So far so good it seemed. We refilled her pack and replaced all the food she had. I don’t honestly recall what she ate while she was there … bad crew person!

Soon she was up, with headlamps and ready to run with Miss P. Off they went and that was that. She barely stayed more than 10 minutes in the aid-station.

Leaving Spooner, mile 50 Photo by: Me — Leaving Spooner, mile 50
Photo by: Me

Not Chris and I packed up everything and made our way back to the condo. We discussed what our plan should be for the morning. She’s doing so well and moving so much faster than expected that Not Chris and I were nervous about getting to Diamond (mile 80) in time to crew and exchange pacers.

Around 10:30 pm Miss P texted me their status .. all seemed well she was almost to Hobart Aid-Station (mile 57).

I woke up at 2:00 am ready to roll. I just couldn’t sleep . By 3:30 am Not Chris and I were at Diamond. We set up inside the doorway of the lodge (you are not allowed to set up outside before the sun rises) and waited. We waited some more and waited some more. We were fully entertained by the hum of all that was happening around us. A lot of runners (and pacers) looked quite haggard after the long night’s run.

Another text came from Miss P at 3:30 am. A few “issues” had occurred out there, she slowed down her pace considerably but was moving. They were just at Tunnel Creek (mile 68.5).

6:09 am another text “Hope to get in by 7:15.” Time wise the night (and blisters) took their toll on her and she was inching closer to the 35 hour runner mark. 7:03 am she came rolling into Diamond!

She was an hour and 53 minutes (roughly) below the 35 hour cut-off for that aid-station. I was okay with that, I thought that gave us a decent cushion. I was wrong.

We had her in and out of Diamond quickly. She only managed some veggie broth and a few pieces of potato. She didn’t eat very much which concerned me as we were about to start climbing to the top of Diamond Peak.

Leaving Diamond Peak (mile 80) Photo by: Not Chris — Leaving Diamond Peak (mile 80)
Photo by: Not Chris

As we climbed we chatted. She seemed quiet but fine. She said she was tired (duh) and that her legs hurt (double duh). Then, she dry heaved. “What the?!”

Me: “How long as this been going on?”

Pigeon: “Oh since before Spooner.”

Me: “Say what?”

I went into correction mode trying to figure out what we could do to alleviate this problem. I gave her ginger. Nope, that came flying out. I gave her salt. Nope, that came back up as well. I gave her three (yes 3!) jelly beans … those stayed down. Okay, we got something to work with. Jelly beans and coke are what is going to get us up this hill.

Then, she stopped and bent over.

Me: “Stand up. You can take a break but you can’t get air into your lungs if you are hunched over.”

Pigeon: (Death glare) “I am TRYING to relieve the pressure off my legs!”

Me: “Okay, okay but try and stay up as much as possible you’ll feel better with more air in your lungs.”

Up and up and up and up we went. She kept stopping. Finally I tried the, “let’s get to that flag up there in the shade” method. It worked but not good enough. It took us 30 minutes to go one mile. The climb is steep but we were moving slow. It took us another 30 minutes to go another mile. Uh-oh. This had me nervous, our little cushion was quickly disappearing.

We made it to Tunnel Creek (mile 85) at 9:51 am, about an hour under the 35 hour finish cut-off. Okay, this is okay.

Pigeon was a celebrity at Tunnel Creek. The volunteers erupted in cheers and hugs when she entered. She must have had 3 or 4 people helping her so I left to use the restroom and take care of myself. She had her own pit-crew like at a Nascar race!

Volunteer: “What does she want? We have quesadilla, bacon, sausage …”

Me: “No dairy no meat!”

Volunteer: “No dairy no meat??!!”

(Everyone staring at me like I am a crazy person).

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Me: “Pigeon, they have Oreos, can you stomach that?”

Pigeon: “Can I have those?”

ALL eyes turn to me … volunteers, other runners all listening … waiting to see if I will let my runner have Oreos! LOL

Me: “Yes, they are vegan.”

EVERYONE: “OOOOOHHH!! She’s VEGAN!” 🙂

Back on the trail moving and eating. I was happy that everyone was able to get her to eat at Tunnel (despite them looking at me like I was a food-nazi).

We rounded a corner and BOOM! All that she ate, made a reappearance. Uh-oh, well on a brighter note, she should be feeling better but now we’re close to the cut-off AND behind in calories.

Knowing my intense dislike for anything puke related, she started profusely apologizing to me! “Dude, it’s ok!” As I rubbed her back and stared off into the distance focusing intently on a tree. 🙂

I started texting Miss P. She texted back some tips and tricks to try. Pigeon was overheating so I grabbed the extra bottle I had on me and started hosing her down from behind as we moved.

The heat and the sun was relentless. You can tell in the photo above, there is no shade, no place to hide. It was starting to break her. No matter what I said, she wouldn’t move any faster and was stopping quite often.

Finally I turned to her and said, “Okay, no more sitting. You can stop but you can’t sit.”

I thought she comprehended what I said, but then we approached a rock and rare shady area and she made a motion like she was about to sit …

Me: “No sitting!”

Pigeon: “I WASN’T GOING TO SIT!”

Oh boy. I got to keep her moving. I didn’t see any of the Pigeon I normally she in her at all. No sense of humor, no light.

She asked me to go in front of her and I think that made all the difference in the world but also, made her pay the price too.

With me running in front, I started a game. “Let’s run this flat stretch right here! Come on, just a little to that shady area.” She followed.

Pigeon: “I can’t do this. I can’t, I am done.”

Me: “No. No you’re not. Besides we have to move forward, we can’t go back right? One foot in front of the other, that’s all we have to do.”

Thank goodness for cell service too. I texted her wife who sent videos of their son chanting, “Go go go!” Her cousin sent me a video rooting for her. It was all I could do. I was digging and reaching to keep her moving.

Me: “Remember how at Quicksilver and at AR50 you came back from the dead and ran like a mad woman to get me? Come on, do that now! Follow me!”

Then I saw a runner, “Okay, let’s go get that runner! I know how you like to pick people off in races, now is your chance, come on!”

She did. One by one we were picking off runners. She must have picked off 5 runners! We were running all the downs, letting gravity pull us while hiking the ups. She was moving. She had some really great stretches of running.

Me: “Come on! You got this. We’re in good shape!”

Pigeon: “No, we’re not! (stopping) You know we’re not. I have a watch.”

Me: “Ignore your watch. Let me worry about time. Your job is to keep moving. We have to keep moving. Hands OFF your hips and swing your arms. Come on! Let’s go!”

I’d text Miss P that I was struggling. Miss P told me to tell her, “If it isn’t happening today … IT ISN’T HAPPENING!”

That made her move a little more. We had a couple stretches of 14 minute miles on some of those downs. I could tell, she was chasing me, trying to keep up. The hot sections though would just murder her and her spirit.

Pigeon: “I have nothing left. I am completely depleted.”

Me: “I know. You have to dig deep. Deeper than you ever thought that you could. We can’t stop. You have two choices: You can run now or you can sprint later. Your call. I will be damned if we miss this by minutes. We are that close.”

We ran. Finally I could see Spooner Lake. I have never been so happy to see a leach infested lake in my life!

Me: “Look! Look it’s the lake!!! Come on girl! Come one, I can SEE the finish! You got this, but we can’t stop!”

I was looking at my watch. I could see the lake but I couldn’t really tell how far it was. I know it was less than 2 miles but we had 50 minutes left to run to get in under 35 hours. 2 miles any other day would be a walk in the park, but not today, not the way she looked.

She was moving and then, she was down … like down down. Sick again. I quickly looked to my right and saw that Spooner Lake was just a few yards away.

I jumped a burm and ran down to the water and dunked my bandanna. I ran back up the beach to the trail and tried to cool her down. By running in front of her, I was able to get her moving but then I wasn’t able to spray her down with water for all those super hot miles.

The heat, was destroying her.

Me: “Come on. We can do this. If we have to walk in, we can, we have time (I was hoping).”

Pigeon: “I can’t, I don’t think I can. This isn’t right. Something isn’t right.”

Me: “I know. I know. You will be okay. There are medics at the finish. Let’s just get you there. I promise you that you will be okay.”

She started walking. We saw the turn that leads towards the finish line. I was cheering for with tears in my eyes!

We made the next turn onto the single track that lines the lake and brings her right to the finish. Everyone was cheering for her.

Me: “Do you think you can run? You want to run into that finish?”

She shook her head, “Nope” is basically what she said.

Me: “That’s okay, we can hike it in.”

BAM! In true Pigeon style she started running!

Me: “YAY GIRL!!!! GOOOOOOO! You did it!!! You finished!!”

She finished in 34:30:23! 20 minutes to spare!!! So dang proud of that girl!

She ran through hell and back to get that buckle, numerous times. She dug deeper than anyone I have ever seen and I couldn’t be more proud of her.

I hated that I had to be the “bad guy” out there but I wasn’t about to let this slip away on my watch but I was unbelievably happy and grateful that I was the one to be with her those last grueling 20 miles, puke and all.

Seriously a phenomenal group to work with. We all had moments of worry I think throughout that race but I think we all agreed internally, that there was only one choice, and that was to get her to that finish line no matter what. Truly a pleasure working with Miss P and Not Chris. Two gems in my book.

To Pigeon, my dear friend, I am so proud of you. Despite the insanity that is toeing this race five times in a row, I commend you for your grit, determination and unwavering drive to finish what you started five long years ago. Every year I told you I had no doubts that you would finish, but I think, something about 2017, it just had to be THIS year. 😉

And to all of you that actually read that monstrosity of a Pacer’s recap, I reward you with my favorite photo of the weekend. Somewhere between aid-station/crewing duties, Not Chris and I caught this sunset … no filter, no editing. Tahoe is that beautiful. It can be harsh and unforgiving (especially when running 100 miles), but it is heaven on Earth.

Happy Trails!

~Trailmomma

May 26, 2015May 25, 2015

SWIM SEASON HAS STARTED SO WE LEFT TOWN

The week after the girls and I returned from our trip to NJ, the Peanut’s swim team decided to have their Mock Meet. Basically Mock Meet is a dress rehearsal swim meet including timing clocks, stroke and turn judges … everything. It gives everyone a chance to work out the kinks basically and prepare for the long swim season ahead.

The Peanut wasn’t feeling super great but she managed to swim in four different events. She swam in the 25 yard freestyle, the 25 yard backstroke, the 50 yard freestyle and the 25 yard butterfly (she opted out of the 25 yard breast stroke). She did okay. The 50 yard freestyle was a major step up for her and is pretty challenging and competitive. She ended up getting disqualified in the butterfly because her legs came apart (they are super strict).

Her first real meet is this up coming weekend. We are all a bit excited and nervous. Our weekends are no longer ours as swimming will consume a lot of our time.

I was super proud of her for trying her best. She wasn’t feeling well as she as been battling some stuff lately. She definitely loves the water though.

After the mock meet, we unloaded one car and packed up another car and headed to Tahoe for a nice little getaway. We had some days left at our timeshare and the plan was for the four of us to head up in two separate cars and then the Peanut and I would leave after one night as we had work and school to attend to.

We basically walked around and visited the lake which is really really low and kind of sad. The fresh air was crisp and amazing. Tahoe really is my reset button sometimes.

We spent the whole morning wandering around the dried up lake and playing at the playground. The Peanut found some crab legs and was super excited to bring them back to show her class.
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Squeaker is into finding (and throwing) really cool rocks. We spent quite a bit of time just wandering this rocky dried up part of the lake.

Walking - see the docks? — Walking – see the docks? Sad.

The play ground was also fun. The Peanut is such a monkey lately between the monkey bars and climbing rocks and stuff.

Sadly, the Peanut and I had to leave Sunday afternoon to unpack and get ready for the work week ahead. Vans and Squeaker were going to stay another two nights. They had a great time bonding together. It was super sweet and we both enjoyed the bonding time with each kid.

I hadn’t been to Tahoe since September so this was way over due for me. It really just fills my heart and resets my brain. Luckily, it won’t be so long before I am up there again.

Happy Trails!

~Trailmomma

September 23, 2014April 21, 2015

EMERALD BAY (BAY TO BLISS) RACE REPORT

I finally have a race report to post about! Yea! No foodie posts today … this will be a race report for theÂ Big Blue Adventure Emerald Bay Trail Race (formerly known as Bay to Bliss).

I have been running this race since 2010. When I ran it in then, I was pregnant with Squeaker but did not know it. Those hidden hormones helped apparently as that was to date, my current PR for this race. It was also the day my family fell in love with this race and all it has to offer.

You can read my 2010 race report here.

You can read my 2011 race report here.

You can read my 2012 race report here.

In 2013 I was signed up for the race but decided to have ankle surgery about 3 weeks prior to the race. While I was able to run at 3 weeks (I ran and won a road race – read that report here), running on a technical trail like Emerald Bay was just not in the cards. The Race Director was awesome and granted me a transfer to the following year. You only get one. I was signed up for the 2014 race as early as I possibly could be and I couldn’t wait.

As the date approached, I was getting pretty excited but also nervous. I was nervous because we have been witnessing one of the biggest fires to hit the El Dorado County area in over 20 years. The King fire has been burning for over a week now and the smoke just fills the air every single day. We weren’t sure the race would even happen. TiggerT was supposed to do the race with me but she decided to heed her internal warning and stay home.

The other thing that made me a bit nervous was the fact that due to the fire (and road closure of highway 50) Vans and the girls would not be going. They love this race and I love that they come. Instead, they stayed home and went to the Peanut’s soccer game while I drove myself solo to Tahoe to meet up with Stonegate Jenn and her friends.

For her birthday weekend, Stonegate Jenn wanted a girls weekend and so there were 7 of us in a house and all 7 of us were signed up to do the race. Having to sleep in a new bed and do a whole different morning routine weighed heavily on my mind but at the same time, I thoroughly enjoyed the company of these girls.

From Left to Right: Silly Suzie, Mill Valley Anne, Salmon Falls Kristin, Me, Ironman April, Twin Karla and Stonegate Jenn

Race morning I woke up about 5:30 am. The race started at 9 am and we had agreed the night before that we’d leave the house at 7 am to do a car drop so we would not be stuck taking the shuttle as the race is a point to point. I wanted some down time. Some time to have my lemon water and some coffee and some quiet time to hopefully clear the old system since typically, my body takes a few days to get use to Tahoe altitude.

By the time everyone else woke up, the house was a buzz with excitement. The skies were a clear blue, not a smoke cloud in sight which was a relief as we really thought the fires would have put a damper on our race.

I ate my usual Picky Bar at the house, along with a coconut water to replenish what I lost via a glass (or two) of wine the night before.

Into the car we piled and off we drove to DL Bliss State Park, the finish line of the race. From there we stuffed ourselves into Twin Karla’s giant automobile and headed to Emerald Bay State Park which was packed. We were late getting there but in typical Tahoe fashion they were still having people sign up and sign in.

We picked up our packets, bibs and shirts and then Stonegate Jenn, Salmon Falls Kristin and I made our way down the hill to the starting area. The other girls were waiting for various people or using the porta potties, I can’t quite remember.

While at the start line we all chatted. It was not cold at all. We talked gear and shoes. I decided this year to carry a small handheld. I have never carried water for this race as it is only 7.5 miles but I recalled from 2012 that the dust was bad and the aid-stations were sparse. I decided to give it a shot. In hind sight, I am glad that I did.

The girls were standing off to the side which is odd to me. I am a “behind the starting line” kind of girl. I don’t get first in line, but I like to be near the front. When Todd the race director gave his speech, I slowly started inching my way to the starting area and the girls followed.

The start for this race is very informal. No timing mat (there is a mat at the finish) and no gun or horn. Basically it is a guy with an iPhone that says “ready, set go!” That’s about it.

Stonegate Jenn was next to me as we started running up the paved hill to the trail. This race starts ON a hill and goes up hill for almost half a mile. It isn’t easy to start that way, especially at altitude.

There wasn’t much talk between us, occasionally a few observations but we just huffed and puffed and kept moving determined not to walk. Finally we hit the trail and she asked me if I wanted to lead and for some reason, I said no.

She bounded down the few stairs and onto the single track and off we ran. People were passing us left and right and it was playing with my head. I wanted to go out fast. I wanted to run faster but Stonegate Jenn was keeping it nice and steady. I even commented to her that she was keeping me steady.

We did pick up the pace though and really started running once all the passers went by. She lead and I followed. Our breathing was quite labored as we were trying to find our “Tahoe lungs” as people call it. Finally at one point, Stonegate Jenn let me get in front and I led the way.

We passed two little kids who had been in front of us. I was impressed with their pace but internally I didn’t want to be beat by a couple of 10 year olds. 🙂

Finally at one point, Stonegate Jenn called from behind, “You go girl! I need a minute.” I said, “You ok?” and she said yes and I kept running. I figured she’d catch up shortly after doing whatever it was that she needed to do.

As it turns out, I never saw her again until the end of the race. I just kept pushing and pushing myself. I ran most of the ups and I would excel as fast as I could on the downs. The terrain is super technical and rocky and in various sections you find yourself climbing stairs, boulders and ducking under giant rocks to run/walk a ledge along the lake.

I recall miles 4.5 to 5.5 being the absolute worst. I had to walk the stone stairs. There is no way anyone could run those. They are just uneven and difficult. Once I started walking those, I felt like the walking never ended but then again, the hills never seemed to end either.

I remembered that I had found a Starburst candy in my car the day before and I had tucked it into my water bottle just in case I needed some kind of boost of sugar on the run. As it turns out, that little tiny candy saved my butt! I found it, opened it and just chewed. It took about 10 minutes for it to kick in but when it did, I totally felt like a new runner.
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I was running the hills again and flying the downs. I was stuck behind some girl who ran with headphones blasting on the most beautiful trail and it annoyed the crap out of me. Nature people! The views are amazing on this run and she ran with music blaring so loud we all could hear it.

You can see the smoke starting to creep in.

She was on my tail at one point and I finally let her pass. She was too close for comfort and all it would take is for her to wipe out and catch my legs in the process. She was that close.

At one point we were rounding a bend and I could see the finish line off in the distance. We were closer than I realized! I started to get excited. I had assumed at this point that I was nowhere near my PR and I was refusing to look at my watch. I generally don’t look at my watch during races.

The trail dumps us out onto a parking lot. This parking lot I know too well. From camping with friends to running this race so many times, I knew that I had some pavement, then quickly ducked back onto a tiny trail and then more pavement down hill and a sharp right turn onto the beach and down a flight of stairs to the finish.

When I hit the first piece of pavement, I told the guy in front of me that I was passing him and that it wasn’t him, it was me. 🙂 I had a PR to catch. Miss Music was still in front of me but when we got onto the trail, I squeezed right by her. She did NOT like that, I could tell.

I took off like I stole something sprinting down the hill and passed quite a few more runners. I could hear Miss Music trying to catch up. I made the right turn, gauged the stairs and instead of jumping off like I have in years past, I kind of took one step and then jumped onto the beach and right through the finish arch and directly into the water with a big sideways splash!

Some woman thought I was hurt and came running into the water after me. I had to laugh and tell her that, no, this is how you should finish a race that ends on a beach in front of the most beautiful lake in the world.

I finally looked at my watch. I had, according to my Garmin, gotten my PR but the real test would be the official results. Not long after I finished and caught my breath did Stonegate Jenn come bounding through the finish too looking strong.

Soon all the girls started coming in and we’d cheer and yell and take photos. We took off our shoes and just let our feet and knees soak in the water. The sun was hot and the day was gorgeous.

Finally I saw someone taping results to the finish arch and I ran over dying to know if I had gotten my PR. I left the girls and checked the list. Not only did I get my PR (by only ONE minute) I discovered that I had gotten 3rd place in my age group!!! Sweet!

My age group prize was a pint glass that says Tahoe Trail Series and 3rd place on it. I absolutely love it. 🙂 We hung out at the beach and participated in the raffle (no one won).

At one point they held a contest for the biggest splash into the lake. At first I was the only girl in the contest and then another girl joinedÂ at the last-minute. I did a cart-wheel into the lake which got me into the finals. I had to jump again. Long story short, myself and another person tied and we both won a free $50 credit towards any other Big Blue Adventure race – I could very well use it to enter the Emerald Bay Trail Race again next year if I wanted.

While I love this race, it does take a lot out of you. It is not an easy 7.5 miles. Next year I have a feeling Stonegate Jenn will be gunning for me. 🙂

While I was having a girls weekend in Tahoe, Vans and the girls were trying to survive at home. I think he managed just fine and luckily there was the final concert in the park finale to entertain everyone.

Now it is time to get serious in our training. Stonegate Jenn, Burning Girl and I have just over a month and a half until our tough 50k on Mt. Tam. My schedule this weekend is not exactly the “usual” but I am determined to find time to fit in some miles and cook a few plant-based meals. 🙂

Happy Trails!

~Trailmomma

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Â (edited to add: please excuse typos and grammar – I wrote this at 11 pm last night. )

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